Should Have Gone to Edith?

There’s been a bit of an uproar lately over the use of an Edith Piaf recording in a 'Specsavers' advert.

In the radio version which I’ve heard, dear Edith is heard singing ‘‘Je Ne Regrette Rien’ while her words are translated (by Harry Hill, I think) as saying she does regret one thing… she should’ve gone to Specsavers.

Oh look, here's the TV version of the ad.

This doesn’t annoy me as much as it obviously does some people.

In a funny way, it helps to keep the music alive. It makes it accessible to the younger audience who seem to follow advertising music with a tangible mania.

This as was also a bit of a laugh, which is always good.

The bottom line is that the estate of Edith Piaf must have okayed it. So the rest of us can enjoy or hate it as we see fit. It doesn’t matter overly.

The estate of the late great Johnny Cash were not so forthcoming with their permissions for our old friend ‘Preparation H’ - the scourge of Haemorrhoids the world over. Well, maybe not ‘scourge’ exactly (winces).

Apparently, the makers of ‘Prep H’ decided that Cash’s seminal hit ‘Ring of Fire’ would be a great tune to have on an advert for their Piles Ointment and, let’s face it - well, maybe not 'face it' (winces again) - it would have been great fun.

But the Cash Estate said ‘No’, so we’ll just have to make do with Edith for now.

It all set me thinking, though, as to what popular songs I might use to sell particular products. I only came up with one, really.

Jakill: Oh now I *like* the idea of being a 'card'. Shall I grow a rakish moustache? Oh wait, that's a 'cad' isn't it? Anyway, I likes it.

Hope: That's very funny Hope. You can be a card too - along with me. :)

Alan: I'd say she's more widely known but could be wrong. It's a very simple idea - a false translation of the song is given in the subtitles, no real attempt to get it right. Your trouble is your too good at French. Go and get another babe-in-the-shower video on your blog, I'll be along later to view it. :)

We've had this discussion many times around here. Our favourite choice for missed opportunity by a marketing group is Burton Cummings (formerly of The Guess Who) - for the song "Stand Tall". Now - why wouldn't they use that for Viagra or Cialis? I just don't know.

'Me' Stuff

54 Years Old.
Loves to write.
Has had writing produced for radio, theatre, and film... some short stories published (and broadcast) and a laundry list which was highly commended by 'Whiter than White' in Castle Street.
'My Writing Resume'